There is a new administration in the White House. Yesterday, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Ag groups all congratulated Biden on his inauguration and asked him to make sure that Ag issues remained a priority during his tenure. One such industry that is certainly looking forward to the change is the biofuels industry. Ethanol and biodiesel are hoping to see recovery in President Biden?s environmental policies.
While the Trump administration touted all the help it gave the biofuels industry, one of the only accomplishments it really had was allowing the year-round sales of E-15. It became one of the few bones thrown to an industry that suffered near irreparable damage because of the wholesale granting of small refinery exemptions handed out by two EPA administrators under former President Trump. Three such waivers were granted only hours before Trump and Company left Washington. Those three waivers were stayed this morning due to emergency action taken by the Renewable Fuels Association in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says that he is hopeful that we will see a reversal of the trends against the biofuels industry under the Biden Administration.
Shaw says biofuels are a great way for America to make contributions to a global environmental initiative.
The problem we had during the last administration was that there were very few, if any, voices in the administration that were advocating for the biofuels industry. Shaw sees a sharp reversal of this as Biden has tapped Iowa native, former Governor, and Obama Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to reprise his role at USDA once again. Shaw is confident Vilsack will advocate for biofuels as Iowa is the largest producer.
Shaw also remarked that corn ethanol is not only a plus for the environment, but also for the producers who are growing corn across the country. Farmers can benefit from carbon sequestration and provide a cleaner fuel alternative to fossil fuels.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association hosts their annual summit virtually, this year on January 26th.
